By George Esunge Fominyen
The romance between China and Africa tastes really sweet for Senegal on this Valentine’s Day 2009. China is reported to have offered Senegal aid and loans worth 45.8 billion FCFA (approximately 90 million USD). Happening on (or the eve of) a day when most persons in the Western hemisphere are celebrating love, the additional Chinese promise to purchase 10 thousand tons of groundnut oil from Senegal could be likened to a declaration of love from China. President Hu Jintao was in the West African country on the second-leg of his African tour. What would the Chinese get in return?
Friendship in an Interdependent World
According to my bilateral diplomacy course lecturer –Indian diplomat, Ambassad Kishan Rana – “a fundamental objective for all countries is to build strong external partnerships around the world, to create a network of friends and allies. In an interdependent world, these ties are essential for the pursuit of one’s own interests. These interests cover national security (i.e. safety and survival of the state in all circumstances), as also political, economic, and other benefits, extending to fields such as culture, education, the environment, science & technology, tourism, and the like.”
China is quickly overtaking the label of “emerging economy" and is practically assuming the etiquette of economic giant. This economy needs energy to run and maintain steam. Africa is full of countries with the much valued resource called petrol. From Sudan, through Nigeria and Angola to the oil oozing countries north of the Sahara desert, this is the place to replenish energy stocks for the big industries that keep the economy going.
That very economy needs markets to survive. Africa is a market which is readily available for the cheap goods emanating from China. Africa’s not so rich populace would always prefer to buy cheaper goods that can match their pockets than more expensive products from elsewhere and even from unsubsidized producers at home.
Politically, China has to maintain a grip on world affairs to preserve its interest. With over 50 countries in the UN and other international bodies, Africa has the numbers to support and tilt the balance in one’s favour. Something Beijing has first-hand knowledge of. It was indeed a respectable support from about 26 African countries in the 1970s that contributed to “red” China unseating Taiwan from the permanent role at the UN Security Council.
National Interest First
As Kishan Rana explains “States pursue self-interests in an enlightened manner for the most part, seeking to maximize own gain, but in a way that is also to the advantage of the other partners, since this is the only way to build sustainable relationships.”
Today, Senegal has cut deals to fund the renovation of the public buses network, obtain the construction of a huge theatre in Dakar and secure government communication systems, in addition to the 9 billion FCFA gift that if properly used should help this poor country in these troubled economic times.
Tomorrow, China will expect Senegal to return the favour. The price may be to vote against Taiwan. Come to think of it, only 4 years ago there was no Chinese Embassy in Senegal that continued to recognize Taiwan as an entity of its own until 2005.
Of course not everyone is happy (see part 2).
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